On October 29, 2021, the Supreme Court set aside the verdict of the Sessions Court and mandated that “under sub-section (2) Section 13” of the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954 “for the Local (Health) Authority to forward a copy of the report of the Public Analyst to the person from whom the sample of the food has been taken in such a manner as maybe prescribed”.

“Further mandate of sub-section (2) of Section 13 is that a person to whom the report is forwarded should be informed that if it is so desired, he can make an application to the Court within a period of ten days from the date of receipt of the copy of the report to get the sample analysed by Central Food Laboratory.”  The verdict went on to say that, “Apart from the right of the accused to contend that the report is not correct, he has right to exercise an option of sending the sample to Central Food Laboratory for analysis by making an application to the Court within ten days from the date of receipt of the report.”

On failing to deliver a copy of the public analysts report , the apex court said that his right of “praying for sending the sample to the Central Food Laboratory will be defeated.”.

“Consequently, his right to challenge the report will be defeated. His right to defend himself will be adversely affected,” the bench said.